author: Jessieface

© BLOOD

Following a mini-tour around Ikebukuro and Meguro, BLOOD released a limited maxi-single under Starwave Records. Bathory contains three tracks, a PV for the title track, a 16 page booklet and is limited to only 1,000 copies.

The word "eerie" is not enough to describe Bathory; ruthless, dark and industrial could only begin to cover it. Wavering tones fade in as a mess guitar and industrial synthesizers fill into the background. An intense satanic mess of screams punctuates relatively slow, deep vocals before a short, melodic chorus; the screams frame the chorus and acts like a bass beat.

In contrast to Bathory, the next track is fairly stock-standard and fits within the boundaries of most visual kei work. Reality still caters to the industrial crowd with guitar and fleeting synthesizer melody that is on the borderline of visual kei and say, industrial and gothic. The vocals are slower in contrast to the pace of the backing track and lay low (with limited screams and growls) for about the first third of the song. Once the first chorus hits, the song changes key; the melody picks up and Hayato’s voice becomes brighter. The best bit of Reality: the synthesizer based melody hidden under the guitar sounds like a tiny music box playing during a thunderstorm.

The third track, Counting Rhymes, combines elements of the first two songs: screaming and a fast beat with a thriving melody at the chorus that turns rather dark during the verses. Not too outstanding, but it’s intriguing to listen to.

Although Bathory is rather powerful, Reality seems to stand out the best among the three tracks as it represents the best of both worlds without being too extreme.

Bathory is available for online purchase through Darkest Labyrinth’s online store and CD Baby.